Setting up BIOS to boot from USB storage device

Method A: Changing BIOS settings

1.1. Enter the BIOS setup utility by pressing DEL key at boot time, or F1 on some rare cases.

1.2. Change the BIOS boot order so the USB device option is listed first. The BIOS is rarely
set up this way by default.

If the USB port is not first in the boot order, your PC will start "normally" (i.e. boot from
your hard drive) without even looking at any boot information that might be on your USB device.

Note: After setting your USB device as the first boot device, your computer will check it for boot
information each time your PC starts. Leaving your computer configured this way shouldn't
cause problems unless you plan on leaving the USB device attached all the time.

1.3. Attach the USB device to your computer via any available USB port.

1.4. Restart your computer.

1.5. Your computer should now boot from the USB flash drive or USB based external hard drive.

Note: What happens now depends on what the bootable USB device was intended for. If you're booting
to the Windows 10 To Go, Windows logo will appear. If you're booting converted Windows XP
installation CD, then Windows XP Setup will start. You get the idea.

Method B: Boot Menu

Modern computers detect the USB devices at boot time automatically. So you can press a specific key
(F8, ESC, F10 or F11) to access the "Boot Menu". Select your USB thumbdrive from the Boot Menu
to continue.

In this case your computer will boot from USB thumbdrive only once, and it will boot from the
internal hard drive next time, regardless of whether USB thumbdrive is plugged or not.

Comprehensive guide

Troubleshooting

If these keys does not work and no hints appear at boot time, then read user manual for your
motherboard or notebook. Also check out some of the tips below.

3.1. Recheck the boot order in BIOS (Step 1.1). The number one reason a bootable flash drive or
other USB device won't boot is because BIOS is not configured to check the USB port first.

3.2. Didn't find a "USB Device" in boot order listing of your BIOS? If your computer was manufactured
around 2001 or before, it may not have this ability. If your computer is newer, check for some
other ways that the USB option might be worded. In some BIOS versions, it's called "Removable
Devices" or "External Devices".

3.3. Switch to another USB port. BIOS on some motherboards only checks the first few USB
ports. Switch to another USB port and restart your computer.

3.4. Be sure to keep an eye for BIOS updates from your motherboard or notebook vendor.